A serious road accident involving three young women on Kingsway Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday morning has triggered public outrage following reports of delayed ambulance response that forced a witness to transport the injured victims using his private vehicle.
Eyewitness Agboola Kotun, who shared details and images from the scene in a widely circulated Facebook post, said the incident occurred early Tuesday, leaving two of the women with “very severe head injuries.”
Despite calling for emergency assistance, Kotun revealed that an ambulance failed to arrive after over an hour and a half of waiting. In response, he and an on-site paramedic administered first aid before deciding to personally drive the victims to the General Hospital, Lagos.
“Unfortunately, after one and half hours of waiting, I had to use my vehicle to convey them,” he wrote, expressing frustration with the delay in emergency medical support.
Kotun also noted that the husband of one of the victims, a recently relocated American-trained urologist, reached the hospital from Arepo in under 30 minutes, contrasting the quick private response with the delayed ambulance response of the public system.
His post sparked widespread commentary online, with many expressing anger over the declining efficiency of Lagos’ emergency services and reminiscing about a time when ambulances were more responsive and visible on major roads.
Facebook users flooded Kotun’s comment section with reactions. “Well done brother… Almighty God will be there for you,” wrote Omoba Surakat Olabode Oteshade-Eshilokun. Another user, Mojisola Allison, added, “Lagos State Health sector needs serious intervention urgently.”
Afilaka Bidemi tagged veteran journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, urging immediate attention: “Please sir, you need to look into this!!!!! We need those ambulances back on our roads.”
The incident has reignited calls for a comprehensive overhaul of Lagos State’s emergency response infrastructure, with many Nigerians calling for better coordination, equipment, and deployment of lifesaving resources.
